Survey: Microsoft is now cooler than it was just a few years ago

Microsoft’s efforts to revamp their image appear to be paying dividends. A recent poll from Reuters / Ipsos shows that nearly half of all participants think Redmond is cooler now that it was just a couple of years ago. In fact, respondents said Microsoft was viewed as cooler than both Facebook and Twitter – two of the hottest social networks on the planet.

The company’s marketing campaign for their Surface tablets as well as continued success among gamers with the Xbox 360 and Kinect are just a few of the reasons why Microsoft is seemingly more hip than it once was.

A recent ad for Internet Explorer highlighting trends from the ‘90s no doubt helped Microsoft’s cause in the 18 to 29 age group. The video showcases a number of iconic games, toys and utilities of yesteryear before declaring that “You grew up. So did we.”

Specifically, 42 percent of adults in the aforementioned age range said Facebook is cooler than it once was while 47 percent said the same of Twitter. But even with Surface, Xbox and a retro commercial, Microsoft wasn’t able to touch the coolness factor of rivals Apple and Google.

Android scored the top honors as 70 percent of poll takers said the mobile phone operating system was cooler than it used to be. For Cupertino, 60 percent of those questioned said Apple’s coolness factor has increased over the past few years. Of course, not everyone would agree with that last statement – just ask Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak.